Herbs with Alterative Properties
Alfalfa, American Ivy, Barberry, Bayberry, Birthroot, Bistort, Black
Cohosh,
Black Root, Blessed Thistle, Blue Flag*, Boxwood*, Burdock*, Cayenne, Chaparral,
Chickweed, Cleavers, Comfrey*, Dandelion, Devil's Claw, Dogwood, Echinacea,
Elder, Eyebright, Fringe Tree, Fumitory, Garlic, Ginseng, Golden Seal*, Gotu
Kola, Guaiac, Holly*, Ironweed, Kelp, Licorice Root, Mandrake*, Marshmallow,
Mezereon*, Milfoil*, Milkweed*, Nettles*, Oregon Grape Root, Pilewort,
Pipsissewa, Plantain, Pokeweed*, Prickly Ash, Purple Loosestrife, Raspberry,
Rock-Rose, Red Clover, Rhubarb, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Soapwort, Speedwell,
Spikenard, Black Spruce, St. John's Wort, Twin Leaf, Uva Ursi, Wafer Ash,
Wahoo*, Walnut, Wild Indigo*, Wood Betony, Yellow Dock, Water Dock, Yellow
Jessamine*, Yellow Parrila*
Blue
Flag
-(See Acrids)
Boxwood -
Buxus
sempervirens - CAUTION:
It should be noted that animals have died from eating the leaves.
Burdock
- Arctium
lappa - CAUTION: The
seeds of this plant contain an oil that can be used medicinally, but should only
be used with medical or qualified supervision.
Golden Seal
- Hydrastis canadensis - CAUTION:
The fresh plant, if eaten, can produce ulcerations and inflammation of the
mucous tissue. Those with Hypoglycemia should use caution with this herb,
as it can lower blood sugar levels.
Holly - (a)
Ilex aquifolium (b) Ilex
opaca (c) Ilex vomitoria (d) Ilex verticillata (e)
Ilex paraguariensis - CAUTION:
The berries of the first four varieties of this plant are mildly poisonous and
dangerous to smaller children. Caution should be exercised with all varieties
unless proper identification can be made.
Mandrake
- (See Abortifacients)
Mezereon -
Daphne
mezereum - CAUTION:
This plant is extremely poisonous. Three to four berries have been known to kill
a person. Even eating birds that have eaten the berries has been known to be
deadly. Do not use without medical supervision under any circumstances.
Milfoil -
Achillea millefollium - CAUTION:
Long term use may create a skin sensitivity to light.
Milkweed -
Asclepias
syriaca - CAUTION:
Large quantities of this herb are poisonous, especially to children.
Pokeweed
- Phytolacca
americana - CAUTION:
If not cooked sufficiently, this plant is poisonous, especially the root. The
seeds inside the berries are also particularly poisonous and very hazardous to
children.
Wahoo -
Euonymus
atropurpureus - CAUTION:
Nausea, cold sweats, and prostration are just a few of the symptoms caused by
the use of the leaves and fruit of the Wahoo plant.
Wild Indigo
- Baptisia tinctoria - CAUTION:
In large doses the tincture of Wild Indigo has caused poisoning.
Yellow
Jessamine - Gelsemium sempervirens - CAUTION:
Reactions from the use of this plant may be strong. They could particularly
affect the vision, as the flowers, leaves, and roots are poisonous.
Yellow
Parilla - Menispermum canadense - CAUTION:
The roots of this plant contain bitter alkaloids which are the reason for its
toxicity; the fruit is probably poisonous also. Use only under medical
supervision.
*(Herbs in
which a Caution exists. For those herbs whose Caution descriptions do not appear
on this page, a link has been provided to its description.)
